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Besides Ram Gopal Varma, Sanjay Gupta is one maverick who is in a league of his own. His features may be borrowed from west, but he defines slick cinema for us. And Like RGV, He too hadn’t come with any thrilling fare offlate. However, with Acid factory (directed by Suparn Verma), he seems to have made the much needed break-through.

Okay, first things first. Without making any under-statement, Acid Factory brings for us a story that’s one of its kind for Bollywood lovers. Surely, it is alleged to be inspired from a Hollywood action flick “Unknown” But still remains an original for those who aren’t too keen on the west.Divulging anything about the plot would be a crime. In short, It’s a story of 6 people who are trapped in a place, and do not remember anything; either about each other or themselves. How they manage to unravel their identity forms the rest of the story.

Verma stays loyal to both his inspiration and even more so to his mentor. Acid Factory has a definite hangover of White Feather productions, what with the sepia tone camera work, slick editing, stylishly shot action sequences and grey-shaded characters. And as if it wasn’t enough, an Item Number (a tad too raunchy, yet inoffensive) is thrown in early in first half, just to reassure the obvious.

Where the director actually scores is the way he executes the limited twists in the tale – With just the apt pace required for an action flick. Thankfully, the narrative doesn’t miss out much on logic either (though a few minor liberties have been taken). Its told in a flash-forward manner, but that doesn’t confuse the viewers a bit.Okay, it could’ve worked even more effectively with better actors, but for once Fardeen Khan, Aftab and Dino don’t mess up things. They are fine for the roles they are assigned. Irrfan is pretty good. Manoj Bajpai shines in what looks like a tempered down version of Bali from Kaante. Dia Mirza is passable, but Danny Denzongpa is perhaps who impresses the most of the lot.

Okay, things do fizz out after the entire suspense has been unraveled. and Yes, the climax may let you down, but that’s only because the rest of the film has been quite consistent and gripping.

Final verdict: -Acid Factory is not a run-of-the-mill stuff. Its pretty sensible (for its genre), stylish and gripping enough to hold you to your seat. Recommended (esp. for Sanjay Gupta fans)